Pakistan has many Hindu temples that stand for religious, historical, and cultural identity. For the Hindu community in Pakistan, such temples are very crucial, as thousands of devotees visit these places every year, particularly during festival times.
From ancient shrines surrounded in hills to vibrant temples, these serene pilgrimages and grand festivals enhance the bond between the devotees and god.
Here are five top Hindu temples in Pakistan:
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Hinglaj Mata Temple:
Located in Hinglaj, on the Makran coast of Balochistan's Hingol National Park, this temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Hinduism and one of the most important places for Hindus in Pakistan. The temple enshrines Goddess Hinglaj, another form of the goddess Durga, in a cave at the confluence of Hingol River. The annual Hinglaj Yatra is the largest Hindu religious procession in Pakistan, where over 250,000 devotees worship the deity's protective powers and good luck.
Ramapir Temple, Tando Allahyar:
Situated in Tando Allahyar, Sindh, this temple is named after Ramdev Pir, a Hindu saint, and dates back to the era of British Raj, 1859. Known for the Ramapir Mela, which is the second greatest Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan; people come to this place to complete their promises, as a local man who was not blessed with children; the saints of that time came to his rescue by fulfilling the wish.
Umarkot Shiv Mandir:
This ancient temple in Umerkot, Sindh, is one of the oldest Hindu shrines in the province and is considered highly sacred. Local legend says that a cow gave milk to a Shiv Lingam, which led to the establishment of the temple; it was built nearly a century ago and remains today a sacred site for devotees who pay obeisance to Lord Shiva.
Churrio Jabal Durga Mata Temple:
Dedicated to Goddess Durga; the idol symbolising good's triumph over evil - on the top of Churrio Hill, Nangarparkar, Tharparkar District, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit every year, mainly on Shivratri. Thousands of martyrs' ashes are immersed every year in the waters of this very temple. It has been threatened by the mining of valuable granite on the hill and the protests from pilgrims.
Rama Temple, Saidpur:
This is believed to be 16th century in origin and is known as the Ram Kund Temple. According to the locals, Rama and his family stayed here in their exile and people have been coming here since centuries. Though it is not a consecrated place of worship anymore, this has been converted into a tourist destination in 2006 testifying to its antiquity and history.